To Hell with the Devil (1982) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The narrative unfolds across multiple realms. Earth serves as the primary stage for the main characters' romance and ambitions, while celestial domains like Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell form the moral battleground where souls are weighed and supernatural bargains are enforced.

• settings
• earth
• purgatory
• heaven
• hell
• locations

The movie does not specify an explicit time period, though the music industry setting and pop star ambition themes suggest a contemporary or near-contemporary era. The lack of specific historical markers keeps the story somewhat timeless, focusing more on universal themes of temptation and redemption.

• time period
• era
• modern
• setting

Fame Price explores how a musician's dream of success leads him to make a dangerous bargain with the devil. The story uses the music industry as a backdrop to show how artistic ambition can corrupt integrity, with the contract with Flit turning success into spiritual leverage.

• fame
• music industry
• temptation
• ambition
• theme

Love's Bind examines how love becomes testing ground for manipulation and control. Bruce Lee's pursuit of Peggy using new supernatural powers undermines her autonomy through obedience spells, raising questions about whether genuine love can survive when freedom is sacrificed for security.

• love
• manipulation
• control
• peggy
• theme

Redemption Arc follows characters confronting their flaws and making sacrifices to break cursed wishes. The protagonist must choose between a simple life with Peggy or continued power and fame, ultimately tearing up his contract to achieve happiness while the broader cosmic battle between good and evil continues.

• redemption
• sacrifice
• choice
• theme
• resolution

Reverend Ma is a Catholic priest who was fired from the church for not adhering strictly to its conventions. After dying and journeying through purgatory, he is sent back to Earth to battle the demon Flit, acting as a conflicted figure who believes in redemption while wrestling with his own faith and desire to save others.

• reverend ma
• priest
• paul chun pui
• character

Flit is a crafty thief destined for Hell who serves as the devil's henchman. He orchestrates the soul-bargaining deal with Bruce Lee, collecting souls and manipulating desires to further his mission. Flit embodies mischief and cunning, challenging Reverend Ma in a cosmic duel throughout the story.

• flit
• demon
• stanley fung
• character
• villain

Bruce Lee is a struggling musician who makes a Faustian bargain, trading his soul for three wishes to achieve fame and win Peggy's love. His character arc explores the perils of wanting to control love and destiny, as his supernatural powers come with strings that constrain both himself and those around him.

• bruce lee
• musician
• protagonist
• ricky hui
• character

Peggy is the object of Bruce Lee's affection and represents someone who refuses to be defined by wealth or fame. She seeks a simple life with Bruce despite the social pressures and manipulation she faces. Her choices reveal resilience in the face of supernatural control and evolving obedience spells.

• peggy
• jade hsu
• love interest
• character

To Hell with the Devil is a Horror Comedy Fantasy film. The genre blends supernatural horror elements involving demonic bargains and celestial battles with comedic characterizations and fantastical premises about soul-trading and wishes.

• genre
• horror
• comedy
• fantasy
• tonemovie